Alan Biggs at Large: Eoin Doyle a one-season wonder? Hardly... and don’t rule Sheffield United out of the chase just yet

Sheffield United have to be considered outsiders in the chase for £2m rated Eoin Doyle amid strong Championship interest featuring Rotherham as this went to press. But, from what I hear, the Blades were at least the first to talk about putting money on the table - even if it cannot be confirmed as an official bid.

OK, the cash kicked around was well short at around £600,000. But you never go in with anything like your highest offer and so that, for me, counts as a pretty firm declaration of intent.

Equally, clubs with assets always pitch for the most money they can get and reserve a figure at which they won’t deal. That’s transfer business, folks. Not that I’d regard Doyle as over-priced. Even as the highest scorer in the country with 22 goals, I’ve seen him referred to as a half-season wonder. Hardly. Check his overall record, including a decent haul for Chesterfield last season and a healthy one with Hibs in SPL.

Spireites chief executive Chris Turner tells me: “Eoin is not officially for sale and his value reflects his goal ratio. He’s a natural finisher and they are hard to find.”

At least half a dozen Championship clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday (should they create cash), are in the hunt. But United, as perhaps the only ones to talk turkey at this stage, cannot be ruled out.